On Friday, September 30, 2022 Aspirus Pleasant View, the only nursing Home in Phillips, announced it will be closing its doors as a skilled nursing home facility.
While the facility is working with the Wisconsin Department of Health services to assist residents with finding nearby facilities, the tentative closing date is December 31, 2022. However, the facility stated it will make sure residents have viable options before moving them. When asked what distance away is considered reasonable for a resident to have to be relocated to a new facility, Thomas Kaster, Interim Vice President of Post Acute Care with Aspirus at Home and Aspirus Phillips Campus, stated, "That depends on the specific resident and family." He added, "Our care team and community resources are working hard to safely and compassionately transition our residents."
As for the staff, Aspirus is working directly with employees to find them positions in the Aspirus System as Aspirus does not want to eliminate any staff members. When asked how far away from Price County employees may be placed, Kaster shared, "Aspirus has positions available for all employees. Whenever possible, we will try to maintain employment in Price County, and remote work options exist."
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There were a number of factors why Aspirus chose to close the facility. "The ability to fully staff the facility to safely care for a larger number of residents is certainly a key issue. Because of the rural nature of our community, there is not a large enough population base to maintain higher levels of staffing. This is compounded by the national labor shortage. Another driver is governmental funding. The main payor at Aspirus Pleasant View is the Wisconsin State Medicaid Program, representing 85% to 90% of our skilled nursing residents. The reimbursement from Medicaid is far less than the average daily cost to care for a skilled nursing resident," Kaster explained.
Aspirus Pleasant View states closing this facility "was a difficult decision, but it will help Aspirus continue to provide vital community services in outpatient, acute, and home health care."
As of right now, Aspirus is not putting the building up for sale.
Aspirus is, however, changing its focus in Phillips, "focusing resources and future development on its assisted living and adult housing services."
YOU HAVE A QUALIFIED, INDEPENDENT WRITE-IN OPTION FOR PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF: Visit John Brylski's website to learn about John, his philosophies on law enforcement, his endorsements, and more. Follow John's Facebook page to receive updates and more information about his candidacy. (Paid for by John Brylski.)
Reports received by the police departments in Price County for the month have been condensed and summarized.
(Article continues after promotional message) YOU HAVE AN INDEPENDENT WRITE-IN OPTION FOR PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF: Visit John Brylski's website to learn about John, his philosophies on law enforcement, his endorsements, and more. Follow John's Facebook page to receive updates and more information about his candidacy. (Paid for by John Brylski.)
9/2/22 - A man reported a woman hit a tree while driving a UTV in the Township of Flambeau. She did not have obvious injuries but appeared disoriented.
9/5/22 - A driver of a vehicle struck another vehicle from behind near the intersection of White Rock Road and Hwy. 13. There were no injuries.
9/5/22 - A woman called reporting her son attempted to avoid hitting a vehicle that pulled out in front of him, but a crash occurred. The driver of the other vehicle stated he would take full responsibility for the accident.
9/6/22 - A man came to the sheriff's office to report that the IRS told him his taxes had already been filed.
9/6/22 - A woman reported that she and her neighbors witnessed a man trying to flag people down as they drove past him on Riley Road. The white man was about 5'10" and 160 to 170 pounds with dark hair. He was thought to be in his late 30s to early 40s.
9/7/22 - A male reported that while riding his bike in the Township of Worcester, a man in a vehicle almost hit him. The bicyclist stopped at the residence to confront the man, and the man became angry and made threats toward him with a gun. A deputy responded to the residence.
9/8/22 - A male reported that his truck was taken from his father's residence in the Township of Kennan. He checked with anyone who could have taken it, and none of them had it, so he wanted to report the truck as stolen.
9/8/22 - A man reported he hit a pick-up truck in the Township of Worcester. The driver of the truck got out, started yelling and swearing, and then got in his truck and headed toward Phillips. Deputies responded and found the truck at a gas station.
9/8/22 - A woman reported a man, near her residence in the Township of Worcester, was running in the road screaming he was going to kill himself. It appeared there was a passenger in the vehicle he had been in.
9/9/22 - A man reported that he gave $200 to a person on Facebook to purchase several items. The seller's husband asked for another $100 given the items were so expensive. The man then went to the address listed, but the actual property owner was not aware their address was being used and had nothing for sale. The payments were made through PayPal.
9/13/22 - Wisconsin State Patrol advised a two vehicle accident had been located in the Township of Fifield. One person was injured and there was road blockage.
9/15/22 - A woman called to report finding a tracking device, which did not belong to her, in her backpack.
9/15/22 - Rusk County Sheriff's Office called to request a deputy respond to Hwy. 8 where a female was reportedly running down the road yelling, "I need a phone."
9/16/22 - An abandoned 911 call was received. A baby was crying in the background. Dispatch called the number back and spoke with a woman who was crying. She reported the man she was with had a loaded gun and threatened to shoot her. The man had pulled over during the call, and dispatch asked him to exit the vehicle and leave the gun in the vehicle. The man agreed, and he also agreed to put his hands over his head when deputies arrived. The man was detained.
9/18/22 - An anonymous citizen reported a dog had been shot and killed while restrained in a portable kennel.
9/20/22 - A woman reported an overturned motorcycle in the Township of Eisenstein. The man was not injured and left the area.
9/20/22 - A man called 911 asking if dispatch could call his wife so she could blow a horn so he knew how to get home. He was tracking a deer and got lost in the woods. Dispatch also gave the man additional information to help find his way home.
9/20/22 - A woman reported someone was shining deer and shooting from the road onto her property.
9/21/22 - A woman came onto private property. When the property owner asked what she was doing there, she stated she was going to pick mushrooms, and she did have a plastic bag in her hand. The property owner explained it was private property and she could not pick mushrooms, but the woman started to argue with him. He left so as not to have a greater confrontation.
9/21/22 - A pastor at a church in Park Falls stated a large man was walking around the church, talking gibberish, and she wanted him removed as he refused to leave.
9/22/22 - A Prentice woman reported that her grandson was going crazy, smashing car lights and windows with a hammer, and making threats to harm his grandparents.
9/22/22 - A Prentice man reported that a scammer said he was on video in a compromising sexual situation and the scammer was threatening to share it with all his friends on Facebook if he did not give the scammer money.
9/23/22 - A Phillips woman called to report a blonde woman hanging out a truck, screaming while the driver was backing up.
9/25/22 - A man reported his truck was on fire near the intersection of County Road YY and Lost Avenue. Prentice Ambulance Service and Fire Department responded.
9/26/22 - A caller stated her female friend was being held against her will by a male in Fifield. She said her friend did not appear to be injured or restrained from their online correspondence.
9/26/22 - A man reported that a woman stopped by a cemetery in the Township of Elk and asked if she could hide her vehicle in the woods so her boyfriend could not see the car.
9/26/22 - A man reported his shed was stolen in Ogema.
9/26/22 - A woman reported a theft of $10,000 when someone obtained her Social Security Number.
9/28/22 - A missing black and tan hog ran up to a deputy. The owner was located.
9/30/22 - A man called 911. He was not making sense, and then he said he was testing his phone. Numerous times he claimed to be the King of England. He also stated he was running for governor and used a lot of profanity. Dispatch asked if he needed an ambulance or the fire department, and he asked his mother, who replied, "no." The man sounded intoxicated.
9/30/22 - A man stated he received a call from a friend asking him to do a welfare check at their cabin as he had not heard from the person who was supposed to be there since Monday or Tuesday. The man went to the cabin and discovered the man deceased inside the cabin.
9/30/22 - A woman was walking on Springs Drive and a white Poodle-looking dog came up to her aggressively. She moved to the other side of the road and yelled at the dog, but it continued to come after her and bit her. Someone was yelling at the dog from a nearby house, but the dog did not obey its commands. The woman went to the residence later to ask if the dog had its rabies shot, and the owner stated it did but would not say which vet gave the shot.
9/30/22 - A woman reported someone shooting from a vehicle on the road in the Township of Eisenstein.
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PHILLIPS POLICE DEPARTMENT
9/3/22 - A man believed someone put white powder on his window, but an officer observed it was actually insect larvae.
9/4/22 - An adult woman driving a vehicle had an accident with a male juvenile on a bicycle on Maple Street. The juvenile had minor injuries and his parent was contacted.
9/4/22 - An adult woman was experiencing delusional thoughts and was a threat to others, so she was taken into protective placement and transported to a mental health facility.
9/5/22 - A disc golf basket was reported as broken, likely damaged on purpose, in Elk Lake Park.
9/8/22 - A railroad worker reported that a railroad crossing signal was broken off of a pole. Since it was high up, the damage was likely caused by a semi.
9/8/22 - The Price County Sheriff's Office needed assistance with finding a vehicle involved in a hit and run. Later, a Price County deputy was able to find the offending vehicle at a gas station.
9/8/22 - It was reported that a male was outside of a vehicle next to the caller's home threatening to kill himself. However, officers could not find the man or the vehicle upon arrival.
9/9/22 - A complaint was received of a picnic table overturned and partially in the water, along with a mountain bike, at the end of the walking trail in Elk Lake Park. The Department of Public Works put the picnic table back in place and an officer viewed video footage from the park.
9/9/22 - A deer was found skinned and discarded by the Phillips Campground.
9/9/22 - There was a report of a vehicle that struck a building in the City of Phillips. An officer talked with a bar owner, who stated the man was inside. The man received field sobriety tests and was taken to the medical center for a legal blood draw and then brought to the jail for booking.
9/13/22 - A report was received of an adult male and female arguing while walking on South Avon Avenue. An officer was able to locate the male subject who was intoxicated and currently on numerous bonds. The male subject would not say who he was arguing with and indicated he was involved in an argument. The officer arrested the adult male for misdemeanor bail jumping, felony bail jumping, and disorderly conduct. The man was taken to the jail.
9/21/22 - Police assisted the Price County Human Services Department with the living conditions inside a city residence. An officer was let into the residence by the owner and performed a walk through. The officer told the home owner that his residence was unfit for human habitation because of the condition inside the home, and it would be listed as "condemned." An officer explained to the male and female tenants what would have to be done to live in the residence.
9/22/22 - A mother reported her child came home with several counterfeit $100 bills.
9/26/22 - A hit and run accident occurred, but the reporting party was able to identify the person involved in the hit and run. The individual received a citation.
9/26/22 - A mother reported her juvenile daughter had possibly been sexually assaulted.
9/27/22 - A woman reported missing money from a retirement savings. The matter is under investigation.
9/28/22 - A man was reported as urinating in the downtown area. A citation for disorderly conduct was given.
9/30/22 - A complaint was received from a woman who reported some issues with two coaches of a club sport. An officer conducted interviews.
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PARK FALLS POLICE DEPARTMENT
9/1/22 - An accident occurred in the parking lot of the high school. Both drivers were juveniles.
9/5/22 - An officer responded to a two vehicle crash south of Fifield.
9/6/22 - It was reported that a male was loading a firearm in his vehicle in the parking lot of a grocery store. No contact was made with the male as he departed before police arrived.
9/12/22 - Police received a phone call that a female was recorded going through other people's laundry at a laundromat.
9/15/22 - Police responded to a business due to a suspicious package, which ended up being garbage, and it is unknown who sent it.
9/22/22 - An adult male turned himself into the police station due to an outstanding warrant in Ashland County. The man was transported to Price County Jail.
9/24/22 - Two vehicles crashed in the parking lot of a hardware store.
9/24/22 - A possible battery occurred at a bar. The investigation is ongoing.
9/26/22 - A man sent a letter denying doing any stalking behavior related to a case. He stated he would punish the FBI before he leaves this world.
9/27/22 - A hit and run accident was reported.
9/29/22 - A hitchhiker requested assistance with lodging or transportation. Ashland County Sheriff's Office also dealt with the same individual multiple times over the previous few days. The individual agreed he would get a ride on the bus in the morning.
9/30/22 - Police were asked to assist a man with calling internationally to Mexico as his wife was there on a business trip and he had not checked in with her husband as expected.
SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES - SHOP PRICE COUNTY FIRST: Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store sells all flooring types (carpet, vinyl, wood, & ceramic), bedding / mattresses, appliances, solar systems, and consignment sales of furniture, automobiles, farming & logging equipment, ATVs, UTVs, trailers, and campers. Call 715-339-4838 for product inquiries, and follow Ken's Carpet & The Consignment Store's Facebook page.
UPDATE 10/2/22: Kryssy King has been found and is safe. Trevor Blackburn was later taken into custody. The Amber Alert has been cancelled, and the photos of Kryssy and Trevor have been removed from this article for that reason.
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10/1/2022:
The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office has issued a statewide Amber Alert.
Kryssy King, a white female, age 15, was discovered missing from her residence on the morning of October 1, 2022 and is believed to be in the company of Trevor Blackburn, a white male, age 22, who is not a resident of Wisconsin.
Trevor Blackburn has a tattoo of a name on his chest and a heart tattoo on his inner forearm.
Kryssy is about 5 feet 3 inches tall and 150 pounds with blond or strawberry hair and hazel eyes. She has a small scar on her nose by her eye and a 1 1/2 inch long scar on her left shoulder.
It is unknown which vehicle they could be driving.
They are believed to be in the Chippewa County, Wisconsin area. Kryssy is a missing juvenile and believed to be in serious danger.
If you have information on the whereabouts of Kryssy or Trevor, please call 911 or call the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office at 715-726-7700, Option 1.
John Brylski has investigating in his blood. Whether it be exploring and climbing trees as a young boy with his childhood best friend, Amy Buske; exploring along the river with his brother, David, as a teenager; investigating during his 28 years in law enforcement with Outagamie County; finding cougar tracks in Phillips in 2019; or working to solve the Shelly Hansen missing person mystery, John puts a whole-hearted effort into it all.
John was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of Ronald (Ron) and Geraldine (Gerry) Brylski. He explained he was a shy child but his life experiences turned him into a confident adult who always likes a challenge.
As a boy, he moved a few times, calling West Allis, Brookfield, and New London home, along with his two younger siblings, David and Lisa, who he treasures. While a student at New London Senior High School, he was active in sports, such as track and football. A memory that stands out in John's mind is when the football team played against Bay Port during Homecoming. "At that point, our school had won seven Homecomings in a row. My Dad promised me a shotgun if I scored two touchdowns in the game as his dad had done when he played football in the same position in high school. I did score two touchdowns and remember the feeling I had when I crossed the goal line. I hopped over the line! I was so happy our team also won the game."
During and after high school, John, along with his brother and his dad, enjoyed competitive cross country skiing. They would travel all over Wisconsin and into Minnesota to compete at distances of 10K to 15K. "In my first year at Northland College, I went with the intent of being a half time student and training and racing as part of Telemark Academy, an academy that helped create Olympic skiers; but, it was not meant to be." John explained that the 1980 Winter Olympics Cross Country Ski Team hadn't performed well and the Academy was dissolved.
At that time, John started considering a new goal, which was to become a police officer. His interest was greatly sparked when a New London police officer asked him if he wanted to go on a call with him. The police officer remembered John as a fast runner in high school, and he needed help catching a "Peeping Tom." Handing John a flashlight, he gave him instructions. "He told me he would drop me off in the area he was last seen. I was to try and find him, run him down, and yell for help because the officer would be driving in circles around the streets. I never found him, but I never forgot the screeches of the police officer's tires as he went around me and the feeling of walking in people’s back yards looking for the peeper. With the nervousness and adrenaline rush I felt, I then knew I wanted to make my career a police officer."
With schooling underway, John met Cindy, who he married in 1985. During the early part of their marriage, they moved to Texas. John went to Marine Corps boot camp and then to military police school at Lackland Airforce Base. "The most memorable moment there was a forced 10 mile march which I believe at 50 pounds back pack this march was to be the last with all men so they wanted to do it faster than normal, so we double timed or ran at times in the end of the hot, grueling march. One other Marine MP recruit candidate and I finished out of 50 Marines."
Next, John got stationed in Cherry Point, North Carolina. "There I was a CPL Non-commissioned Officer and was a Patrol Supervisor going to regular calls like cops do - fights, domestics, thefts, and traffic. I was also at the main gate security waving in vehicles with base decals." It was also at this base that John and Cindy welcomed their first child, Ken, who he named after his late great uncle, Kenny Hartenberger. "He used to be a Marine Vietnam Vet and was a great guy," John reflected.
Getting stationed at Bogue Field NC Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Base, he was the Non-commissioned Field MP Officer in charge of training, scheduling, post security, and writing standard operating procedure. He received a Meritorious Mast for his duties at Bogue.
The final part of his military career took place in Iwakuni, Japan. "Cindy and I lived off base in a normal Japanese home with a kerosene heater to heat the home." John left the Marine Corps shortly thereafter with an Honorable Discharge and Good Conduct Medal.
Settling back in Wisconsin, John was hired by the Outagamie County Sheriff's Department. He started in the jail as a guard and then was transferred to patrol and then as the first full-time Police School Liaison Officer. "I gave class presentations and investigated all crimes from harassment, theft, battery, child abuse, and sexual assault. I did security at school events." Improving camaraderie with the students, John was the head coach of the boys and girls track teams and coached middle school football. "At one practice, I was in charge of 7th grade 2nd team offense. I challenged the 1st team to a scrimmage because I felt I should be coaching 1st team. Using the right motivation and not standard plays, the 2nd team beat the 1st team. I said to the 1st team coach, 'Now who is the 1st team?'"
Along with coaching, John was also excelling in his career and personal life. His son and daughter, Zach and Abby, were born over the next few years. He was also promoted to Sergeant (Law Enforcement Specialist). He was the back-up for other officers and responded to bad traffic injuries and fatalities. He also went to crime scenes to document and collect evidence, take measurements, take photos, and get fingerprints and DNA.
"I later was transferred to Investigations, which I enjoyed for the challenge and strategy involved in finding and arresting a suspect. My most high profile case was Catholic Priest John Patrick Feeney in 2001. I worked only on this case for six months. The case received national attention. I was interviewed by news media. Feeney was found guilty and given, I believe, 12 years. He later died in prison."
John was nominated four times as Officer of the Year by his peers. He added that there are so many incidents a police officer responds to, from crimes and high-speed chases to horrible accidents, suicides, and close calls. "Life as a law enforcement Officer was not easy; it left its scars and also triumphs," he shared.
He also had some scars and triumphs in his personal life. He and Cindy divorced. While that was a low point in time, there had been high points in his marriage. His children also brought him many more high points, and he is one proud dad. He reminisced about a series of small vacations in 1996 with his sons on the lakes in Waupaca County. "I enjoyed watching them catch fish, though I did not get in much fishing myself as I was untangling lines from their lack of fishing knowledge. On the way home, we got ice cream at Dairy Queen and listened to the music CD, 'Journeys Greatest Hits.' To this day, listening to one of their songs on that CD brings me back to that time."
Along with that memorable vacation, John is proud of his kids' accomplishments. "I remember enjoying my kids growing up and watching their sports events like football, track, cross country running, basketball, and dance. Later, I was so proud of my kids, Ken and Zach, graduating from college. Ken started his own business on the Internet, Zach became a physician's assistant, and Abby went to college and began as an RN nurse."
Another high point was when John met Amy, his current wife and soulmate, at a club in Appleton just when he was preparing to leave. "I turned around and saw a woman sitting by herself. Immediately, time slowed down for me. Considering the location, [a club], it was like seeing a masterpiece at a rummage sale. I wasn't sure I should go up and talk to her, because I knew my life would change drastically. I walked up to her, tapped her on the shoulder, and she turned....with the most beautiful smile." John and Amy married in 2006, and John welcomed two step-children, Ryan and Megan, into his life. He added that Ryan is an auto mechanic who works on top-class cars, and Megan is a data processor for hospitals.
John stated all the good people he has met throughout his life are his guiding lights, along with his guardian angel, who he believes has kept busy but has been there for him. He also has been guided by Mother Nature. "Being out and part of nature, whether it is, as I call it, without its makeup on a rainy and windy day and you feel its power to when it is at its best with temperatures in the high 70s on a beautiful fall day." John loves to enjoy the moment.
Throughout John's life, he has had some amazing moments being outdoors and with sports, for which he has a true passion. It was when John was stationed in Japan, where he ran his first marathon, the Kintai Marathon. He ran a couple Ultra Marathons. The first one was Fans 24 Hour Run around Lake Nokomis. "Near the end I, with the assistance of Cindy's support, walking hand to hand, completed in 19 hours before I could go no further....Cindy walked the last couple laps with me, each 2.6 miles." The next Ultra he did was at the Ice Age 50 in La Grange, Wisconsin going up and down hills and flat areas. "I made it to the 45 mile mark and came to a hill. My legs were cramping very badly and were useless, so I tried walking on my hands up the hill because I knew if I made it the rest was flat and I would finish. My attempts to walk on my hands did not work. I kept falling over and also hitting my head and shoulder into the ground and on rocks. I was stopped by a work crew who said I had enough and took me to the finish line to the medical tent. I came up with the following quote because of that race: "If I can't finish on my feet, I will walk on my hands.” Not to be stopped, in 2001, John went back to the Ice Age 50. "This time I finished in 10 hours and admit I was overcome by tears." John credits his father for leading by example and instilling in him the great determination that he has.
In 2007, John took up snowshoe racing. After about a month of feeling out his new hobby, he entered the Badger State Games in Wausau in -25 degree weather. After about 1/2 a mile, he passed the leader. When he finally looked back he was quite a distance ahead. "I was shocked! I was now on a high and went even faster," John remarked. Finishing in first place, he said the next best part was what greeted him at the finish line. "I came to the finish line. Amy and all our kids ran to greet me as I came in as they were sitting in a warm vehicle." John went on to compete in other races in places like Utah and Cable, Wisconsin, finishing near the top of the pack.
Since John loves the outdoors, he said if he could live in another time period, he'd still want to live in Wisconsin or an environment similar to it, because he loves the state. "If I could go back before there were roads when there were mostly only trails, living in a wooden cabin on an unspoiled lake, and not have the sometimes stressful, complicated technology we have today, that would be nice." He felt the 1800s might be a fun time to explore. With that not being a real-life option, John was happy to find a less complicated life in the northwoods in present times.
In 2018, John and Amy attended the celebration of life for John's sister-in-law, Jane. The ceremony was held in Medford, and the couple started thinking about moving to the northwoods, a place that he would also recommend to young people. "Because of all it offers in the form of mostly good, hard-working people and the enjoyment of all the nature we have such as the woods and beautiful lakes, streams, and animals, all of this will make them better people."
Wanting to experience that life during retirement, after 28 years in law enforcement, John decided to retire from the Outagamie Sheriff's Office, and Amy retired from healthcare. They found their slice of paradise on Soo Lake. "Here on our lake it’s like paradise, fishing, hunting, and tracking as a volunteer carnivore tracker for the DNR. Lucky enough while out for a run on Skinner Creek Road in 2019, I came across cougar tracks and a kill. Documenting it, I contacted the DNR, learning it was the first documented cougar proof in Price County in eleven years. (See related story, Cougar Believed To Be In The Area.) I also track wolves and found some wolf kills. Amy and I also enjoy kayaking out on our lake right from our house. Plus, Amy enjoys volunteering through Price County delivering meals to homebound individuals." His favorite hobby is fishing because he enjoys relaxing on a body of water while experiencing the challenge of trying to catch the big fish.
Unfortunately, even in the best of times, tragedy strikes. John's brother, David, informed his family that he was battling esophageal cancer that had spread to his lungs and he was told he had three months to three years to live. His time came sooner than expected, and David passed on December 20, 2021. "My brother was an incredible person whom I respected," John shared.
John shared that if he had one power, it would be to go back in time and prevent some of the horrible things that have happened. Two horrible things in particular include warning his brother about cancer and saving Shelly Hansen, a woman from Price County who went missing in the late 1980s.
John learned about Shelly Hansen shortly after he moved to Phillips. Being a police officer, he did an Internet search to see what kind of crimes had happened in Price County. That is when he found the Shelly Hansen mystery. He started a group on Facebook for her and other crime victims, Justice for Shelly Hansen Missing People Unsolved Crime Victims Northern WI. While conducting interviews to try to solve Shelly's case, he learned other information that made him want to run for sheriff. He also learned he cannot get all the records he needs to solve the Shelly Hansen case unless he is in law enforcement here. "Our Facebook group turned over info concerning the investigation and places we believe Shelly is buried to the Price County Sheriff. But, after learning more concerning the sheriff, I have no confidence the areas will be searched, so I currently am running as a write-in candidate for sheriff of Price County to improve the Price County Sheriff’s Office," John stated. He knows running as a write-in candidate will be difficult, but he has never strayed from difficult situations. "I seem to thrive when things become more difficult. I'm not saying I always enjoy it, but it’s my determination that surprises me sometimes." John simply doesn't believe in giving up or settling for second best.
"I want to awaken our community that it can be better and not accept anything below par such as unsolved crimes and poor community leaders." You can view more information about John's campaign and investigation at his website. You can also follow the the John Brylski for Price County Sheriff Facebook page, where he gives regular updates. "I would appreciate if everyone would look at my experience and endorsements. If you like what you see, I ask that you tell your friends and family about me. Also, please write my name on a piece of paper so you know how to spell it and bring it with you when you vote on Election Day on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. You will need to write my name in as the sheriff and fill in the oval. I respectfully ask for your vote as I want to protect and serve Price County with dignity, respect, transparency, and communication," John shared.
JOHN BRYLSKI IS RUNNING AS AN INDEPENDENT, WRITE-IN CANDIDATE FOR PRICE COUNTY SHERIFF IN NOVEMBER 2022: Visit John Brylski's website to learn about John, his philosophies on law enforcement, his endorsements, and more. Follow John's Facebook page to receive updates and more information about his candidacy.
Under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) initiative, the Federal Highway Administration approved Wisconsin’s plan to expand electric vehicle charging stations. This will allow the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to receive federal funds to implement the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan.
“As we work to implement the state’s first-ever Clean Energy Plan, upgrading Wisconsin’s electric vehicle infrastructure is one of the most important steps forward we can take to move towards a cleaner, more sustainable future,” Governor Evers said. “This plan approval and the federal funds Wisconsin will receive as a result will help bolster our state, our infrastructure, and our economy for years to come.”
“We are seeing an increasing demand for electric vehicles in Wisconsin and manufacturers are ramping up production of electric models. Some manufacturers have goals of producing 100% electric vehicles in the future,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “To accommodate this growth, Wisconsin is stepping up its efforts to provide the electric vehicle infrastructure the state will need.”
Most electric vehicle charging is currently done at home. To support long distance travel with electric vehicles, approximately $78.65 million NEVI funds will be used to develop a network of publicly-accessible charging stations along Wisconsin's Alternative Fuel Corridors. These roadways currently include interstates, I-90, I-94, I-43, I-41, and I-535 plus seven U.S. highways, US 53, US 151, parts of US 51, WIS 29, US 2, and US 141, and all of US 8 and US 41. The estimated 60 charging station locations will be placed within 50 miles of each other on Wisconsin’s designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.
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On September 23, 2022 at 10:34 p.m., the Sawyer County Dispatch Center received a 911 call of a person and a vehicle on fire on River Road in the Town of Hunter.
Sawyer County deputies, assisted by Sawyer County EMS and the Round Lake Fire Department, responded to the scene. Upon arrival, deputies observed a vehicle in the roadway totally engulfed in flames. Lying in the roadway, next to the vehicle, was the motionless body of a subject that was also on fire. Due to the extreme heat, emergency responders were not able to safely approach the victim. The fire was extinguished and the victim was found to be deceased. The victim has been positively identified as 75-year old William J. Smith of Antioch, Illinois.
Further investigation indicated that the driver of the 2018 Cadillac sedan was traveling north on River Road when it appeared to enter the ditch, strike a mailbox, and come back on to the roadway. The vehicle continued a short distance down the road where it was found fully engulfed in flames.
The incident is currently under investigation by the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office, the Sawyer County Coroner’s Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations Fire Marshalls Office.
On Tuesday, September 20, 2022, a decision was filed in the civil case of Anthony Sleck versus Town of Worcester, which was originally filed in October 2020.
Under Wis. Stat. § 19.31, “it is declared to be the public policy of this state that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them.” The statute further
provides that “[t]he denial of public access generally is contrary to the public interest, and only in an exceptional case may access be denied,” establishing “a presumption of complete public access to government records, consistent with the conduct of governmental business.”
Anthony Sleck began the lawsuit because he wanted town officials to be accountable to the public. He stated the Town of Worcester had violated the Open Records Law, citing eleven violations. Attorney Tom Kamenick, of the Wisconsin Transparency Project, represented Sleck in the case.
Some of the alleged problems were with a former town clerk. Those problems were given to her and also listed in the The Petition for Writ of Mandamus, provided to My Price County / My Northern Wisconsin by Attorney Kamenick, as follows:
"1. In October, Mr. Sleck asked you for records and you told him you didn’t have to do it and threatened to throw his request in the garbage.
2. As an ongoing problem, residents have been leaving you voicemail messages on the Town’s answering machine and you never respond.
3. In December, in response to a record request, you demanded $50 up front to pay for copies even though that was far in excess of what would be necessary for the number of records Mr. Sleck was seeking. State law permits you to charge only for the “actual, necessary and direct cost of reproduction. Wis. Stat. §19.35(3)(a)."
4. In response to that request, you unlawfully demanded that Mr. Sleck bring other people with him because you did not want to be alone with him.
5. On December 30th, Mr. Sleck requested you provide copies of emails people had sent you regarding his previous request (which had been CC’d to several other people). The next day you refused that request without lawful reason. Those emails are public records and must be provided.
6. In that same email, Mr. Sleck requested a date and time to come view the records, which you had indicated were ready to be viewed . On New Year’s Eve, you told him he had to come on January 2nd – not even 48 hours’ notice and over a holiday.
7. Mr. Sleck was finally allowed to get the records on January 8th, although not all of the records were made available.
8. Mr. Sleck made another request on January 16th, and that request was again only partially fulfilled.
9. Mr. Sleck made his most recent request (which incorporated the incomplete portions of previous requests) on February 2nd, giving you a full week’s notice (state law requires only 48 hours, see Wis. Stat. § 19.34(2)(a)1.) to have the records available on February 10th, at whatever time was convenient for you.
10. You stated you were unavailable on that day, but did not suggest any alternative days.
11. Finally you agreed on February 12th, but you left without explanation immediately after Mr. Sleck arrived. That left him in an awkward position and he eventually had to leave and try to call the sheriff’s department to come and lock the building up. You had mysteriously returned while he was gone.
12. He had not finished inspecting and copying the records he requested, so he tried to set up another time to come in and you once again were not helpful, simply saying you were not available the next day and maybe you could do it next week.
13. Despite that, you still have not offered any time for Mr. Sleck to come in."
After the suit was filed, the Town of Worcester turned over a number of records, and Sleck had three remaining claims in his lawsuit.
Judge Kevin Klein, a Price County judge, recused himself from the case. Judge Ann Knox-Bauer, a judge in Taylor County, presided over the case.
Per the Decision on Motions for Summary Judgment from the court, "The petitioner moves for summary judgment on claims I, II and VIII of his complaint. Counts I and II allege that the Town unlawfully withheld records from the petitioner’s March 16 and June 19 requests. Count VIII alleges that the Town is charging an excessive fee for reproduction of the records requested by petitioner. At issue is whether the Town’s fee of .50 per page reflects the actual, necessary and direct cost of reproduction."
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One portion of the case was in regard to requests to view job applications. A former town chairman stated the applications were "confidential," but Sleck explained that the town's denial of the records was illegal. At that time, town board members asked the applicants to request that their applications be made confidential. A former town clerk then denied Sleck's request again, stating the documents were now confidential. Another reponse for the applications by town officials was that another former town chairman had them. That led to a former town clerk not adequately looking for the records, assuming the former town chairman had them in his possession, which was not the case.
Judge Ann Knox-Bauer ruled, "The court concludes the Town also violated Sleck’s request for June applications. At the time that he requested the applications, there was no exemption that would have allowed the Town to withhold the applications. The clerk simply asserted that they were not yet part of the public record. The board then went into closed session, and created an exemption by having applicants sign the confidentiality request, knowing that Sleck had requested the applications."
It was also alleged, upon information and belief, that the Town of Worcester received ten applications for two job postings and that three applicants were interviewed. It was believed that the son-in-law of a friend of a town board member was one of the applicants hired.
An interim town chairman told Sleck that the town had shredded all the applications that Sleck was requesting except for the one person who was hired. However, “No authority may destroy any record at any time after the receipt of a request for inspection or copying of the record under sub. (1) until after the request is granted or until at least 60 days after the date that the request is denied,” according to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(5).
It was alleged that when Sleck asked to inspect payroll stubs and time cards in person, and he stated he would bring his own photocopying equipment, he was told, via email, "As per the policy adopted 7/29/2020, there are no more inspections."
Regarding the cost of photocopying fees, it was alleged that the Town of Worcester was charging excessive fees. According to the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, "107. c. Amount. The Wisconsin Department of Justice public records guidelines state that photocopy fees should be around $0.15 cents per page, and that anything in eexcess of $0.25 cents may be suspect."
In summary, the final findings were that the Town of Worcester did not adequately search for records that were requested, refused to give job applications that were requested, and charged excessively high for photocopies.
The judge's decision concluded by stating, "....the Petitioner’s motion for summary judgment is granted in part, with instructions for the Town to conduct a search for the applications; in addition the Petitioner’s motion for summary judgment on the issue of costs is granted in part, with a declaration that the amount charged by the Town did not represent actual, necessary and direct costs of reproduction."
Before this ruling was made, the two town chairmen and town clerk, who were involved in these actions, left their duties and are no longer in those positions with the Town of Worcester.
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On September 19, 2022, the Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department responded to a report of a missing person.
Harvey La Belle, 84, was last seen at about 8:00 p.m. on September 18th. However, when family checked on him the next morning at approximately 11 a.m., Harvey was not at his home. Given he reportedly had dementia, the family immediately checked his known locations. When they could not find him, they reported him as missing.
The Tribal Police Department immediately initiated its search protocol with officers attempting to lcoated him. According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, "A request for assistance was issued, and area first responders arrived to provide aid. The Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue responded with a number of highly trained search and rescue dogs, and the Tribal Roads Department assisted with barricading and support."
Around 5:15 p.m., a Newbold Search and Rescue canine alerted authorities near the shore of Long Interlaken Lake in Lac du Flambeau. During the immediate search of the area, an adult male's body was found in the shallow lake water. Police and family members were able to positively identify the deceased man as Harvey La Belle. The Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to remove the body. While the exact cause of death is unknown, foul play is not suspected.
The Lac du Flambeau Tribal Police Department and the Lac du Flambeau Tribe wished to thank Newbold Fire Department Search and Rescue, Vilas County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center, Lac du Flambeau EMS and Fire Department, Lac du Flambeau Emergency Management, Lac du Flambeau Tribal Roads, Judge Gary Smith, William Wildcat, Sr., and the numerous community members who volunteered with search efforts.
On September 17, 2022, the Lincoln County 911 Center received several calls reporting a two vehicle head-on crash on STH 17 near Sunrise Road in the Town of Merrill.
Multiple deputies from the Sheriff's Office, along with several troopers from the Wisconsin State Patrol, responded to the scene.
The first officers on scene reported several injured parties from both vehicles. Fire and EMS were requested. Merrill Fire and Ambulance, Russell Fire and First Responders, Wausau EMS, and Life Link Helicopter were dispatched to the scene.
The crash investigation and evidence at the scene indicated that a vehicle traveling southbound on STH 17, operated by a 41-year old Merrill man, crossed the center line and struck a northbound vehicle being operated by a 42-year old Gleason man. As a result of the crash, several people were injured. An 8-year old boy in the northbound vehicle died due to his injuries. The severity of the injuries or conditions of the other parties are not known at this time.
The crash was reconstructed by the Wisconsin State Patrol. Alcohol is believed to be a factor. Following medical clearance at the hospital, the driver of the southbound vehicle was taken into custody by Lincoln County deputies and transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was booked on a charge of Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Motor Vehicle. The crash remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.
On September 17, 2022, the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office 911 Center received a report of a motorcycle crash at approximately 10 a.m. The crash involved multiple motorcycles with multiple injuries on County Road A in the Town of Bradley.
Multiple emergency services responded to the crash. Four motorcycles were found with four injured people.
According to the investigation, two motorcycles were traveling southbound and preparing to turn when two other southbound motorcycles collided with them.
One of the motorcyclists, Michael J. Tyloch, 67, was not breathing and was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. He was not wearing a helmet.
Two motorcyclistc were transported to the hospital in Tomahawk. One of them received treatment there, and the other was flown to another hospital by Life Link for further treatment. The other motorcyclist was transported to the hospital by automobile of a private party.
